Flamengo to keep hold of Ney Franco as manager- for now

Flamengo have decided to keep faith with beleaguered manager Ney Franco, with the Rio de Janeiro side propping up the Brasileirao league table after 11 matches.

Ahead of their big derby with Botafogo this coming weekend, and following a run of three straight defeats, the Flamengo board have met and confirmed that no changes in management will happen yet.

The decision makers at Mengao, including president Eduardo Bandeira de Mello and director of football Felipe Ximenes, will patiently allow Franco the opportunity to drag Flamengo out of their current mire at least until Sunday's game.

They had previously won the Copa do Brasil at the end of the last calendar year, as well as claiming a record 33rd Carioca state championship before heading into this season's Brasileirao, where they have mustered a mere seven points to date.

Franco had one spell in charge of the club before in 2006, when Flamengo again won the Copa do Brasil.